Three years ago I moved to Seattle to live in an artist housing community called the Apex Belltown Co-op. I had spent my college years yearning to build a yurt village and live in a strong community. When I found a co-op located 3 blocks away from the Pike Place Market and with a view of the Puget Sound it was an incredible opportunity I couldn’t resist.
So I moved in to join a household of 20. Artists, poets, musicians, activists & mayhem!
The Apex was the old Utah hotel that a group of artists got together in 1982 to purchase and renovate. It is set up somewhat dorm style with individual bedrooms but shared kitchens, lounges & baths. 4 kitchens, 8 bathrooms, 2 lounges and a rooftop deck to be exact. And after 25 years of artists passing through you can imagine the interesting touches!
One of the original members was an incredible mosaic artist and her work can be found throughout the building. Such as the Swan Tub… and the Ode to Celery kitchen nook.
Living with 20+ folks can be challenging… open and earnest communication is key. But it can be incredibly enriching as well. And it isn’t anything really like I thought it would be. I expected unwashed dishes & constant parties. But surprisingly that wasn’t the case at all. We’re all adults who respect each other. Dinner parties are common and there is always someone around to lend a helping hand. Household chores are on a rotation so each person’s time spent on housework is minimal yet the place is upkept.
Except for the bikes everywhere. Being downtown bike storage is key and you can find bikes tucked away in every spare spot throughout the building. Which is kinda decorative.
The Apex is my extended family and my peer group. Living here has changed me in ways I am only just beginning to fathom.
Yet I still find myself yearning for that Yurt village. And chickens. Some cooperative chickens would just about make my day.
I’ll be piping in here at the Imaginary Commune with cooperative living insights and some daydreams of my own. Feel free to leave me a comment about co-op life curiosities!
March 28, 2010 at 7:47 pm |
Yippee! Sara, I had no idea such a thing even existed in Seattle. Thank you for sharing! Are there any families living there?
March 29, 2010 at 6:09 pm |
Yes! Right now we have a single mom with her 9 year old daughter (who is super fun!)
When I first moved in we also had a young couple with their 1 year old. They ended up moving out when they found out they were pregnant with their second child. We love having families in the community but sadly the space layout of even the largest rooms doesn’t work too well for any more than 1 child it seems like.
March 30, 2010 at 12:39 am |
shoot. i had a reply, then clicked on the apex link and got lost.
this thrills me, Sara. I often think back to dorm living with nostalgia. it makes me happy, though surprised, to hear that they (you) behave like adults.
do you feel cramped? obviously you are longing for some open space. do you ever long for a little privacy? a space of your own? is there a shared studio space?
beside the thought of chickens, what would you do differently?
(i could go on and on with these questions . . . )
March 30, 2010 at 2:29 am |
I checked out the web site. So neat. But at 350 sq. ft I can see how it could be hard for a family with older kids. :)
March 31, 2010 at 1:58 am |
[...] the comments of my last post introducing the Apex, Terri posed some [...]
June 9, 2010 at 5:48 pm |
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